Madison Pedestrian Accidents
As home to the University of Wisconsin, Capitol Hill, and a vibrant downtown, Madison is one of the country’s most walker-friendly cities. Many residents to commute on foot to work or school to take advantage of the many physical and mental health benefits of walking. Even if walking is not a regular activity for you, almost all Madison residents become pedestrians when they emerge from their cars in a parking lot. And as soon as you leave the protection of a passenger vehicle, you become vulnerable to the severe consequences of a pedestrian accident.
If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, a Madison pedestrian accident lawyer from LawtonCates can help you recover compensation. This includes money for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our experienced legal team will give you the support and advocacy you deserve while we work to hold the at-fault party accountable for their wrongdoing.
Call LawtonCates today or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You’ll speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Madison about your legal options.
Benefits of Hiring a Madison, WI, Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The days and weeks following a pedestrian accident can be excruciatingly painful and overwhelmingly stressful. Even if you know that you have the right to seek compensation for your losses, the path toward a successful pedestrian accident claim can feel daunting—especially while you are healing from your injuries.
When you hire a skilled Madison pedestrian accident attorney from LawtonCates your dedicated legal representative can take care of every aspect of your case while you focus on your recovery. An attorney can maximize your compensation by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident and its causes by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts
- Identifying all liable parties and pursuing justice against them
- Calculating the full value of your economic and non-economic losses by reviewing the relevant documents and consulting with medical experts and financial professionals
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure a fair settlement
- Filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit in court if the insurer is unwilling to offer you compensation that will cover your losses
The team at LawtonCates will offer you the support you need every step of the way, and we will fight aggressively to recover the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is essential to take certain steps immediately afterward to protect your health and your legal rights. Here are some recommended actions to take following a pedestrian accident:
- Seek Medical Attention – Your top priority should be getting medical care, even if you do not think you suffered serious injuries. The adrenaline rush after an accident can mask symptoms, so it is best to get checked out. Follow all medical advice for tests, treatment, and recovery.
- Keep Records – Maintain records of all accident-related expenses like medical bills, missed wages from work, property damage, and other losses.
- Avoid Social Media – Do not post about the accident on social media, as your posts could be taken out of context and used against you. Wait until your claim is resolved before discussing it publicly.
- Consult an Attorney – Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. They can handle the insurance claim process while you focus on your recovery.
Taking these steps after an accident can help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. An attorney can advise you on any other actions needed to build your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Several parties may share liability when a pedestrian is injured in an accident:
- The Driver – The motorist who hit the pedestrian may be at fault due to violations like speeding, distraction, failure to yield, or drunk driving.
- The Driver’s Employer – If the driver was working at the time, their employer may be vicariously liable.
- The Automaker – If a vehicle defect caused or worsened the collision, the manufacturer may hold some liability.
- A Government Entity – If poorly maintained roads, a lack of signs or crosswalks, or other issues contributed to the crash, a government agency could share fault.
- The Property Owner – If overgrown trees, plants, or other obstructions on private property blocked visibility and an accident resulted, the property owner could be held liable.
An experienced attorney from LawtonCates can help identify all potentially liable parties to include in an injury claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
The compensation you can recover for a pedestrian accident injury depends on many factors, such as the type of injury you sustained and the amount of income you have lost as a result. You may be able to claim pedestrian accident compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income due to missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity due to disability or disfigurement
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
When you consult our pedestrian accident law firm, we can give you an informed estimate of how much money you can reasonably expect to recover, given the unique circumstances of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
The deadline for filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit varies from state to state. The statute of limitations in Wisconsin stipulates that an injury victim generally has three years to initiate legal action against the at-fault party. You should reach out to an attorney at LawtonCates for the filing date specific to your case. If you fail to file your lawsuit by the deadline, you may be permanently barred from seeking compensation in court for your accident-related injuries.
While you may think you have enough time to file a lawsuit, you should consult with a knowledgeable Wisconsin pedestrian accident attorney from LawtonCates as soon as possible. Doing so will ensure that you meet this crucial deadline.
How Many Pedestrians Are Killed in Madison and Wisconsin Each Year?
When a pedestrian is hit by a car, the resulting injuries can sometimes be fatal. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an annual average of 56 pedestrians have lost their lives in pedestrian accidents over the last five years.
If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Madison, the attorneys at LawtonCates can file a wrongful death claim. This will recover compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of income for dependant family members. We recognize that no amount of money will make up for your loved one’s loss, but you are entitled — and deserve — to hold the at-fault party accountable.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
While each pedestrian accident is unique, data shows certain hazards and behaviors commonly contribute to these collisions:
- Speeding – Excessive vehicle speed reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time when a pedestrian appears. This is a significant factor in severe and fatal crashes.
- Driver Inattention – Texting, adjusting controls, and other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road and any pedestrians in their path.
- Failure to Yield – Drivers turning left or right often fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Impaired Driving – Intoxicated motorists’ slow reaction times and poor decision-making often lead to pedestrian accidents.
- Inclement weather – Rain, snow, and fog degrade visibility and traction, making collisions more likely.
Identifying and understanding the root causes of a pedestrian crash can be useful when establishing liability.
What Are Common Injuries Someone Can Sustain in a Pedestrian Accident?
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the effects can be catastrophic due to the human body’s vulnerability to high-force impacts. Common severe injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Head and Brain Trauma – If a pedestrian’s head hits the ground or vehicle, they may suffer concussions, skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, or other head trauma with lasting effects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Vertebrae damage or an injured or severed spinal cord can lead to partial or total paralysis.
- Broken Bones – Fractures are common in pedestrian accidents, particularly in the legs and hips, when the body absorbs the initial impact.
- Internal Organ Damage – Blunt force to the abdomen can damage organs like the liver, kidneys, or spleen.
- Road Rash – Friction can scrape away skin as the body slides across the pavement.
- Wrongful Death – Pedestrian crashes sometimes turn fatal due to catastrophic trauma.
These devastating injuries often require extensive hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Pedestrian victims may suffer permanent disability and reduced quality of life.
Contact a Madison, WI, Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
The team at LawtonCates recognizes that, in many cases, life will never be the same after a pedestrian accident. However, taking action to recover the compensation you deserve can allow you to move forward with a sense of dignity. Our Madison pedestrian accident lawyers have been serving injured individuals throughout South Central Wisconsin since 1958, and our track record can attest to our commitment to excellence.
If you have suffered injuries after being hit by a motor vehicle in Madison, LawtonCates can handle every aspect of your pedestrian accident case from start to finish. With us on your side, you can optimize your chances of receiving the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call our offices today or contact us online for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you.